Magpulized Russian Dragunov (SVD) Rifle

The Magpul phenomenon has reached Russia. Gennady M. Kozhaev, gunsmith and owner of a OOO Skat, has developed a range of modernized SVD rifles. The rifles are build using Izhmash Tigr receivers and Lothar Walther barrels.

The rifle feature an AR-15 A2 pistol grip and a Magpul PRS stock. The redesigned handguard has a full length rail on top. Side rails and an under rail can be attached to the handguard.

The gas block has been redesigned and looks much more substantial than the original SVD design. Judging by the photos, the gas block may have an adjustable gas regulator. The Lothar Walther barrel is threaded with a muzzle brake, instead of the SVD / Tigr flash suppressor. Both front and rear iron sights have been removed.

Mr. Kozhaev has also developed a compact variant which features a shorter barrel, low profile gas block (so that it fits underneath the rail), ergonomic pistol grip and an original SVD side-folding stock.

Compact Modernized SVD

I expect this rifle system, with its improved parts and better barrel, to be a lot more accurate than the SVD. A commenter below asked why would a country adopt this rifle over the latest AR-10. I would ask why did the US Army upgrade their M24s to .300 Win. Mag XM2010 instead of just buying the top-of-the-line Accuracy International AWM chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum? The answer is that it was cheaper (the rifle themselves, cost of training troops and cost of training armorers) and much easier politically to purchase an upgrade than an entirely new weapon system. This SVD upgrade would look appealing to countries currently using the SVD but wanting a more modern DMR without the cost of a top-of-the-line AR-10 or the logistical problems of switching away from 7.62x54R.

Gennady M. Kozhaev with his companies products (note the M4 and M16-style AR-15s.)

The Tigr varient is also chambered in .308 and 9.3x64mm (a popular big game hunting cartridge in Russia).

charles222

…9.3×64? What do they hunt there, Tyrannosaurs? That is a huge round lol.

W

The russians have the SVDK, which is chambered in the 9.3 cartridge. My guess is that they are looking for something with more punch than the 54R (much like the US adopting the 300 Win Mag). Apparently the cartridge is also suitable for bear hunting. Of course, the only information I can find is from the internet, most notably on Max Popenker’s gun website.

Anonymous synonomous

Damn, so long to the old days of beautiful SVD stocks.
Speaking of which, when will someone finally build SVD receivers and barrels in the US and import old part kits? There has to be a big enough market over here, and we already do this with AKs and other surplus combloc stuff that can’t be imported directly.

Stovepipe

Actually this mentality is the reason your import laws are so messed up. You think ever firearm company on the planet has to make everything in US for you. This is not possible.
With such a strong firearm community it’s laughable you can’t import a rifle as it is, without the need to screw the design with “compliance parts” of questionable quality. Most of the time you end up with messed up clones instead of the real thing.

Mark

Uhhh…. it’s our messed up government that makes us have the compliance parts etc. We don’t think people do or should have to make things in the US for us. In fact we’d prefer to buy it the way it leaves the factory in Russia.

I don’t think you fully understand the situation. Perhaps educate yourself before you make judgemental or rude comments.

At least identify what country you are from so we can choose something about it we’re ignorant of and call it laughable.

Vaarok

I’m somewhat surprised, for that much conversion you could fairly-readily just use an AR-10 type rifle and it would likely be cheaper, unless you wanted x54R commonality or the sidefolding stock- and SVDs already had a sidefold setup.

Also in the quest to add rails and make a western style DMR, it forgets the intent of the Soviet doctrine DMR, which I’m not certain is necessarily an improvement.

noob

Is tapered case a big plus?

David

Parts comminality, training, calibre, PRICE etc. All reason why they would use a custom SVD rather than an AR-10

Alexander_Degtyarev

I think it looks p. cool.

W

wow…that is all i can say. I love the Dragunov SVD, though would love to see the draconian laws in the US that ban them lifted. They are a truly awesome rifle.

Variance

There is no ban on importing rifles like the SVD and Tigr into the US. As part of a “Gentleman’s Agreement”, the Russian government has banned these rifles from being exported to the US.

“The Agreement provides that Russia shall not allow the exportation to the United States of firearms other than those specified in Annex A to the Agreement and will prohibit exportation to the United States of ammunition specified in Annex B to the Agreement. The Agreement also provides that new types of firearms and ammunition manufactured after February 9, 1996, may not be exported by Russia under the Agreement unless the parties agree in writing to amend the Agreement accordingly”

Ho Hum. Taking a perfectly sleek and functional rifle and loading it up with BS. The SVD really needs no improvement. Folks are always creating solutions where no problems lay.

Alex-mac

The adjustable buttstock would increase comfort thus increasing accuracy, and also better balance the weapon. The top rail addon is great as it means more optic choices.

The quad rail and bipod add unecessary weight, since it’s a DMR rifle. But I like that sleek forearm as it’s probably as light as the original SVD forearm but is accessory compatible, and adds a longer top rail.

Raven

I would disagree Stan. Everything added by Mr. Kozhaev serves a purpose, and like Steve said it’s much more cost effective to update an existing platform to modern needs. The SVD is a great rifle, and adding modern features along with the possibility of improving accuracy would seem like nothing but a good thing.

I would agree with you if something like Sons of Guns painted an SVD black, added quad rails, and called it a game changer… but that’s not the case here.

Noir

Rail on top makes it much more friendly to lefthanded shooters.

Burst

I like to imagine that’s not a posed photo, and Mr. Kozhaev walks around dual-wielding pistols, all the time.

Lance

Like Russia most nations will not leave 7.62x54R but this is a way to tacticool a SVD. But no wood makes it less pretty for a AK lover like me.

jdun1911

The 54R is a very good round. I like shooting them. With that said Soviet era 54R are load extremely hot. I had primers that blew out and casing cut in have on extraction. Good times.

Van the Handcannon Man

I’ll say 10 bucks this will now be in Modern Warfare 4.

Teknix

Hahaha I was just going to say “guess what will be in every video game from now on!!” Say good bye XM8.

PackingPanda

Nah, the XM8 is a rifle with a completely different purpose. It’ll stay in videogames for some time. If only HK would actually release it as a commercial/civilian weapon :T

mosinman

yeah ive never understood why rifles like the xm8 were so popular in video games lol must be the coolness factor. and if hk did relase a xm8 lookalike rifle, i bet it’d be costly

Doesitmatter?

Remarkable man; he deserves respect. SVD as much as it was exceptional piece at time of introduction was never very accurate with 2MOA not being unusual. With these upgrades it will receive new lease of life. The Dragunov action is still very sound and foolproof system.

Lord Cthulhu

Needs more cowbell… er… Magpul.

The A2 grip seems out of place.

🙂

Dan

Very nice! Respect. If it is lighter than an AR-10 I would buy it. Looks very thought out.

Tuulos

Depending how accurate they will be after update this might just change SVD fron DMR into a full blown sniper rifle.

Raoul O’Shaughnessy

So he re-invented the AR-10?

Nadnerbus

My AR-10 does not look like that, go together like that, or have a piston system. I do not think this thing means what you think it means.

this is EXACTLY what the SVD has needed, basic upgrades.
the only short comings has always been substandard barrels, and a lack of good ergonomics. now IMHO if he was to set it up with the Isreali’s Galil Safety System, this would be a world class DMR-S/DMR, and a dandy counter sniper rifle. since the accuracy/handling problems inherent to it’s design limitations would be negated. nice rework, I’d love to see them for sale in this country (USA)

josh.d

I never really wanted an svd because of the pure combloc levels of slop…but those upgrades makes quite a tickle in my pants.

David

Tuulos

I don’t think so, Russian “Snipers” are more designated marksmen, as far as I know they don’t have snipers in the western sense.

Raoul O’Shaughnessy

No…..it’s a modernized SVD….
I don’t think you’d say a sportized Lee-Enfield is just a remake of the Win 70…would you?

Tuulos

Russia may not have, but several other countries that use SVD (like Finland) have. And to be honest, Russia has manufactured some nice sniper rifles so I believe that they have some properly trained snipers, possibly as part of special forces at least.

David

Eh, yeah maybe, I’m sure this guy will tune the hell out of it and it will be close to MOA accurate

Tuulos

Well he has a proper barrel that seems to be free-floated so with proper ammo I think sub-MOA is possible. SVD is pretty well designed in the first place so it shouldn’t be impossible with the proper fittings and parts. Maybe they actually start to make proper match grade ammo in 7.62x54r after this too.

Lcon

Do I Smell a “AK12″ed SVD in the works?

Esh325

A sniper version of the AK-12 is in the works according to Izmash. It won’t be a SVD though, but an AK of course. I don’t know what caliber it will be in though. I’m guessing the Russians feel now they can make the AK accurate enough that they might be able to replace the SVD.

Sanjuancb

That is awesome! I’d rather have one over an AR-10. It’s all a matter of preference anyways…

mosinman

maybe he will magpulize my mosin lol on another note, in the last picture he is lookin pretty gangsta lol

276 pedersen

70 year old rifles don’t need tacti-cool furniture.

mosinman

ah consumerisim….. if i wanna mall ninja up my mosin i can : )

John Doe

I’ll take one in 7.62x51mm PLEASE.

It’s not that I don’t like x54R, but x51mm is cheaper and easier to find.

Ted

Russian surplus, my friend.
Buy it cheap and stack it deep. I’ll take the 7.62x54R over .308 any day. It’s hard to beat $0.25 a round these days.

mosinman

440 rounds for 80 something bucks is a dream come true my friend ;D like both rounds but not many rounds match the cheapness of 7.62×54

I knew something cool like this would happen. I should have made a bet..

Joseph

I wish we could have the real deal SVD’s again.

snmp

The Dragunov SVD have light Match barrel who need shooting in slow cadence for the cooling. In plus, you need to not disturbe the harmonic of barrel (i.e. not touch the handguard or bipod attache to the handguard )

SVD has to be one of all time greats in weapon design .Remember SVD entered service about the same time(1963) as M16 ,western armies needed 40 years before they introduced a DMR ,SVD is as accurate as most DMR rifles today ,chrome lined barrel is not that good for accuracy but greatly increases durability,SVD was a complete package with tailor made optics that are robust and simple to use ,bullet drop reticle and might be fancy today but is old news on the SVD.Skinny barrel has its purpose(weight) or do you think its any harder to make a heavy barrel,its harder to make a good skinny barrel and even harder to make it work in a gas piston semi auto .

snmp

May be you speak for US caur o many others Western Armies,Like France or Germany have DMR in each section : For France (MAS 49, MAS 49/56 MSE, FRF1, FRF2, HK G3, HK417, PGM Precision ……)& for German HK G3 MSG90 ….

A milled receiver,heavy barrel,proper twist for the bullet and an instruction book in English with pictures. I see a winning hog and hunting rifle.

54Bravo

You are referring to Simo Häyhä who was Finnish not Russian. He was shot in the face but survived albeit a bit worse for wear, dying in 2002 at age 98

505 confirmed kills in WW2 against Russians (the 1939-40 Finnish-Soviet Union “Winter War”) He used a Finnish Mosin-Nagant variant and killed them all in only 100 days time. He also killed another 200 with a Suomi sub-machine gun!

His Wikipedia article is very interesting (such as he was only 5’3″ + he put snow in his mouth while sniping, to hide his breath) and I guess a movie is coming out about him soon, too.

Caseless

It’s hard to believe his face/jaw was blown off by a counter-sniper. He fainted, then woke up later to kill the counter-sniper. No wonder those invading Soviet troops nicknamed this guy “White Death.” He was like the grim reaper, only his death sickle usually strikes between 400 -600 meters.

Alex-mac

Also according to wiki he chose his rifle cause it had a short buttstock, ideal for his small frame (1.60cms). Which just goes to show you ergonomics and comfort matter in sniping!

mosinman

sally,i dont think what the author was trying to say , was that the russians dont have snipers, i think that the point he was trying to make is that they dont employ snipers , in the western sense. and any rifle that is being used to snipe is considered a sniper rifle lol and i think the other reason his kill count was so high was because often times the russians used massed charges when attacking so he probably had plenty of targets. that dude makes rambo look like a boy scout

Alex-mac

Many elite russian snipers didn’t use an optic too, saying it allowed them to conceal more of their head, gave them more reliable visibility (no glass fogging) and no risk of light reflecting off the glass.

54Bravo

Simo Häyhä used iron sights on all of his kills. The glint off of scope lenses was his reason.

W

He was using a Finnish copy of the Mosin Nagant. The story of Simo Hayha to this day intrigues me. The Finns, despite having a small nation and military (especially compared to the Soviet Union), are anything but pushovers.

Just a idea of he disposition of Finns: A barfight in America is done with fists and headbutts in the UK, though in Finland, they strip naked, in the ice, and knife fight. 😉 LOL

And just as a note, the concept of precision snipers was introduced to Russia after the Cold War, especially in the sense that they started developing more precise and specialized sniper rifles. The west, bar none, has the finest snipers in the world. The diversity in precision rifles in NATO member states is too many to count, not to mention their stupid level of precision accuracy and the skill in which their users have. Place a Russian sniper team against a Canadian or American one and see what happens…

I would like to see one made with a heavy barrel for those of us who are use to one. They are much better then the then barrels in so many different ways. When will these be on the market and at what price? How about a milled receiver? alot better then a riveted one.

WHY YOU WANT RAIL FOR KALASHNIKOV? IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AS PROCURED FROM IZHEVSK MECHANICAL WORKS? YOU THINK NEEDS IMPROVEMENT? THEN MAYBE YOU FIND JOB WITH ARMY OF RUSSIA! YOU HAVE DRINKS WITH MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV. TRADE STORY OF MANY WEAPONS DESIGNED AND DETAILS OF SCHOOL FOR ENGINEERING!
OR MAYBE YOU DO NOT DO THIS. PROBABLY IS BECAUSE YOU NEVER DESIGN WEAPON IN WHOLE LIFE. YOU LOOK AT FINE RUSSIAN RIFLE. THINK IT NEED CRAZY SHIT STICK ON ALL SIDES OF WEAPON. YOU HAVE DISEASE OF AMERICAN CAPITALIST. CHANGE THING THAT IS FINE FOR NO REASON EXCEPT TO LOOK DIFFERENT FROM COMRADE. YOU PUT CHEAP FLASHLIGHT OF CHINESE SLAVE FACTORY ON ONE SIDE. YOU PUT BAD SCOPE OF AMERICAN MIDDLE WEST ON OTHER SIDE. YOU PUT FRONT PISTOL GRIP ON BOTTOM SO YOU THINK YOU ARE LIKE AMERICAN MOVIE GUY JOHN RAMBO. MAYBE YOU PUT SEX DILDO ON TO TO FUCK YOURSELF IN ASSHOLE FOR MAKING SHAMEFUL TRAVESTY OF RIFLE OF MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV, NO?
RIFLE IS FINE, YOU FUCK IT. IT ONLY GET HEAVY AND STILL NO HIT LARGEST SIDE OF BARN. GO TO FIRING RANGE PRACTICE WITH MANY MAGAZINE OF CARTRIDGE. THEN YOU NOT NEED DUMB SHIT PUT ON SIDE OF RIFLE.

El Jefe

Kalashnikov didn’t design the SVD…

Patrick Keogan

forgive english, i am Russia.i come to study Mechanical Engineering at American university. i am here little time and i am very hard stress. i am gay also and this very difficult for me, i am very religion person. i never act to be gay with other men before. but after i am in america 6 weeks i am my friend together he is gay also. He was show me American video game and then we are kiss.We sex together. I never before now am tell my mother about gay because i am very shame. As i **** this American boy it is very good to me but also i am feel so guilty. I feel extreme guilty as I begin orgasm. I feel so guilty that I pick up my telephone and call Mother in Russia. I awaken her. It too late for stopping so I am cumming sex. I am very upset and guilty and crying, so I yell her, “I AM CUM FROM SEX” (in Russia). She say what? I say “I AM CUM FROM SEX” and she say you boy, do not marry American girl, and I say “NO I AM CUM FROM SEX WITH MAN, I AM IN ASS, I CUM IN ASS” and my mother very angry me. She not get scared though.I hang up phone and am very embarrass. My friend also he is very embarrass. I am guilt and feel very stupid. I wonder, why do I gay with man? But I continue because when it spurt it feel very good in American ass.

Kingchedr1

For a wannabe Russian you have no idea wtf your talking about you put dildo in Russian asshole of yours

M.A.R.S. Arsenal

This dude fails at life… And I have to shoestring a budget for the rifle I am actually developing…

RussiansHATEDhitler

DUDE, you are a troll. 1t, the Russians HATE HITLER, so your name alone screams, “dipshit phony.” Second, the guy who slapped all that magpul garbage on a perfectly good dragunov was a RUSSIAN. Go away, fag.

RussiansHATEDhitler

AND, it’s a DRAGUNOV in the article, not a Kalshnikov. If you really were in Russia, they’d hang you prior to filling your a^^ with c^^, per your diatribe below.